This chapter is dedicated I. Honor of Paris France as they recover from the loss and pain from Friday's Terrorist Attacks. We support love and Respect the City of Love and Its people. Hope you recover soon.
Xoxoxo
Kat and Mia

"What is it?" I ask.

Norman looks away, then back up at, sucking his teeth. He brown eyes are wide beautiful, as if they are trying to enamor me. The bright moon illuminates the tips of dark hair, and for a split second he looks like some kind of omen from heaven.

"When I was eight years old," he starts. "My mother had another child. A girl, actually. Her name was Sofia. She was pretty, cute, serene, and wonderful. She only had one flaw: her eyes."

"So she was blind?" I ask, cutting in.

He ignores me.

"After a few months, we got used to her. My mother followed her everywhere, and when she had to do work, she was put in the crib. At those times, I had to watch over her. One day, I had just come home from school, and I was excited to play with my baby sister.

"When I asked if we could take her to the park, my mother told me no, and that she had to stay home today. I got angry, and I stomped up the stairs to my room where Sofia was sleeping. I saw her lying in the crib and I suddenly felt like hurting something. So I picked her up from the mattress and put her on the ground."

I look up at him, scared. What did he do to the baby?

He seems to notice my worry, and shakes his head. "I didn't do anything else to her, but....the shock of being picked up and set down that quickly.......it.....it killed her."

"Oh my god, Norman," I say. He stares at me, and I notice the glint of a tear in his eyes. I gulp maybe I was going to prom with a psychotic baby murderer. No, I firmly shook my head. I felt bad for Norman. I was curious about the rest of the story but since he was being vulnerable with me I wasn't gonna push him.

"Yeah," he replies. He swallows, then turns to me. "Anyway," he says, in a surprisingly light mood. "Let's go dance!"

"Um..." I stammer, still in shock from his story. He grabs my hand and pulls back up to the road, then down it to the middle of the bridge, the music is still blasting at volumes I never thought could be achieved, and I'm tempted to plug my ears. I should have brought ear plugs.

Norman swings me around to the fast beat of the song, and I manage to follow along. For the rest of the dance, I purposely keep us on the edge of the floor, away from people I might know.

The dance ends at 10:00, and Alex arrives at about 10:30, per usual. Norman had graciously offered me a ride home with him, but I had politely waved it off.

"So how was it?" Alex asks, a teasing grin imprinted on his face.

I roll my eyes. "Fine."

Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, Alex leans over, making a big show of elbowing me in the ribs. "I take it the boy was interesting."

Very, I think, but I don't say anything out loud.

"Micah's feeling sassy. I see." He teases me after I don't respond. "That can only mean one thing.. "

"Alex. Shut up. I have a boyfriend. I only went to Prom with Norman because I got permission from Nick." I shoot a glare at him, then turn to stare out the window.

"Okay, cupcake. I believe you."

We stay silent for the entire trip home.

At 11:00 that night, Nick texts me. So how what prom.

Fine, I reply.

What did Norman do?

Nothing out of the ordinary. I decide not to tell him about the story. It's Norman's secret anyway.

The rest of the weekend is very uneventful. I have a panic attack the next morning over the whole Norman thing. My mom makes a huge fuss and I go to get smoothies and see the latest James Bond movie with Nick. We kissed at the end when the theater went dark for a few seconds.

But then came Monday.

Schools out so I shouldn't be complaining. I woke up at 11:30 ish since I'd already adjusted to my summer sleep schedule. My mom is out doing something TV appearances or something like that. Alex is with my mom so Kevin makes me breakfast. I decide to turn it on but before I can even press the button my phone buzzes with a text from a mysterious number. I'd like to think I'm a fairly safe person but I type in my passcode and look at the text.

Hey Micah. It's Miles would you please do me a huge favor and meet me for lunch at The Panini for lunch around 2:30- If you don't believe me then by all means do ask your mother.
Hope to see you soon,
Miles (your dad)

I stare at my phone for a few seconds, trying to decide if I can believe that it's Miles. It does seem like something Miles would offer as a father-daughter bonding opportunity. After what seems like forever but was probably a few seconds, I type the reply.

I'll be there and trust me I wouldn't suggest asking mom for anything.

It was maybe 5 minutes at most before I here the bing.

Great. Don't bother mentioning it to Lolo. She too busy

That's not creepy at all. How did he know she was busy? Oh well, I don't actually want to know. I've learned that if it involves my mother it's better if I never found out anything.

At 2:30 I walk out the door, dressed casually in a tank top and jeans. I am taking my mother's leather purse, since it's small but can carry my phone and wallet. I catch a bus downtown, since the walk is too long.

The bus stop is one block away from the Panini, which is a fine distance in my opinion. As I stroll into the restaurant, I notice Miles standing near the door, waiting for me. His brown hair has been cut since the last time I saw him, and it looks slightly spiky.

"Hey, Micah!" I exclaims, a broad grin on his face. He wraps his arms around me in an uncomfortably tight hug, then begins to guide me out to the patio where a nice table is waiting.

I hang my purse on the chair, then take my seat.

"Is there a reason you wanted to see me?" I ask politely.

"Yes, Actually there are a few. Would you like something to eat and drink first?"

I order a bowl a fish and chips, and a lemonade. Our food arrives about five minutes later, due the quick service.

"So?" I give him an expectant look.

"Right." He plays nervously with his panini. "Micah, I was wondering if you wanted to come spend 5 weeks with me in New York? Just have some bonding time away from Lauren."

"Umm. Maybe I'll have to check with her and.." I drift off. This is startling.

"I understand Micah that you don't trust me or know me. But the only reason I stayed away was that Lauren was very clear that she didn't want me in her life or yours. I really want to get to know you so I thought by spending time together I could try to make up for the last 16 years. I know there is no possible way for me to do that but I'll give it my best shot." He looks up, a hopeful grin on his lips.

"I don't know how to reply to that. I will consider it." I give him a genuine smile.

"Great." He stammers. "Did you know your mom has a live appearance on The Everyday Show with Chase Vanderyatch?"

"No. She never tells me anything. Why?"

"Well apparently Alex got us tickets to see the live thing. Would you like to go?"

"I guess. " My mom never invites me to her live appearances because she's afraid I'll have a panic attack on live TV. She thinks it steals her fame. Like it's enjoyable for me. But then I realized Alex gave us the tickets. So my mom probably has no idea that I'm coming. She'd probably throw a hissy fit if she knew.

"Great. Let's hope she doesn't say or do anything stupid."

"Amen to that."